Where is Seattle?
Situated on the west coast of the US, it’s the 4th largest seaport in North America and the capital city of Washington state. It’s between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The distance to the US Canadian border is 180 km.
Facts about Seattle
Seattle is named after US president George Washington. This metropolitan’s population is over 4 million people and that makes it the 15th-largest city in the US. Previously, it was known as Queen City and Getaway to Alaska. Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks in 1971, with the original one being in Pike Place Market. It’s; therefore, also famous for being the Coffee Capital of the world. It’s got its gorgeous nickname, emerald, thanks to its evergreen trees even in the coldest season of winter.
Seattle has the first gas station and the longest floating bridge in the world. It has the largest artificial island and the busiest ferry terminal in the US. It’s called Pier 52. The Port of Seattle is also one of the largest in the world for transporting container cargoes.
It’s among one of the most livable cities in North America. It’s a bustling city with lots of industrial, commercial, and cultural activities. Amazon.com inaugurated its offices in the sleepy area of South Lake Union leading to its rapid growth.
Seattle climate
The other name of Seattle is Rainy City. As the name suggests, there are frequent rains in the city of Seattle, approximately 150 days of the year are predicted to be rainy. Seattle can get as low as -18 degrees Centigrade in December, the coldest month.
But overall the weather is pleasant. Winters are mild mainly because the Olympic ranges protect the city from heavy rain coming from the Pacific Ocean. Summers are cool thanks to the Cascade Mountain on the east side of the city acting as a shield to protect Seattle from the heat.
Seattle Neighborhoods
Phinney Ridge and Greenwood is a large residential neighborhood in the north of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The University of Washington also lies on the east of this Canal. In this vibrant area, you’ll also find lots of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Bellevue is on the eastern shore of Lake Washington. It’s mainly residential and commercial.
Redmond is where you’ll find high technology companies such as Microsoft and Nintendo.
Everett is along the Snohomish River and is a major port and manufacturing center.
Renton is on the southeast of the city and is home to several industries such as clay, steel, and lumber. Boeing Company is also located here.
Overall, Seattleites have a high level of ethnic diversity and you can find many cultures and religions among the settlers.
Seattle Restaurants and Bars
You can find small restaurants and coffeehouses in the neighborhood of Phinney Ridge and Greenwood. In Ballard, there are also many cafes and restaurants. Some of them include; Asadero, where beef steak and loaded baked potatoes are served and since it gets busy at night you should call to reserve for dinner. Gracia is the place for having some Mexican food.
In Beacon Hill, Bar Del Corso has a charming back patio that protects you against both rain and cold. Its Italian dishes make you wanna try this place frequently.
In Bellevue, Carmine’s also serves Italian food. For lunch and dinner, you need a reservation.
If you are interested in people watching as you are grabbing some bites, you can try Monsoon where it has sidewalk tables and a street-side patio.
If the view is important to you, then go to the Belltown neighborhood and visit Aqua. There you’ll capture the cool breeze and sunset view of Elliot Bay.
Not a morning person and interested in brunches? No worries. In Capitol Hill, go straight to 12th Avenue and enjoy sitting under the yellow umbrellas shielding you against the sun and the rain.
Modern tourist attraction
Seattle changes its character from neighborhood to neighborhood. There are, for example, urban districts, where you see rail yards, cranes, and wharves. Downtown is dominated by many skyscrapers overlooking Elliot Bay in the center.
The 42-story Smith Tower is in the Pioneer Square neighborhood and Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field are the two sports stadiums for baseball and football.
Seattle is best known for its famous Space Needle landmark in the city center. Don’t forget to get to the wishing chair and enjoy the view of Seattle.
Historic tourist attraction
Pioneer Square is the oldest neighborhood in Seattle and the historic center of the city. You’ll see many redbrick townhouses that were formerly residential but now turned into small shops and art galleries.
Children’s Museum is suitable for children up to 8 years old. It triggers your children’s imagination. The Museum of Pop Culture also inspires people for life-changing experiences and more connection to communities.
Seattle nature
Mount Rainer, Cascade, parks, open spaces, and many other green sceneries are in Seattle. The city is surrounded by the densely forested Olympic Peninsula and the Cascade Range. Visit Snoqualmie national forest to enjoy attractive contrast of colors from bight green to reds and oranges. If you are interested in getting familiar with more plant species you want to visit Botanical Gardens in Ballard.
Don’t forget Olympic National Park. There you’ll find different kinds of recreational activities. These range from hiking, backpacking, or even touring by car.
Mt. Baker is an active volcano for those willing for some adrenaline rush.
Seattle hotels and lodges
The cost of family housing has had a rapid escalation in the city center. So, many workers can afford house renting in distant neighborhoods from downtown and as a result, interstate and regional highways are almost always faced with heavy traffic on weekdays. It’s still popular for young renters to reside in the inner-city areas though.
There are a lot of accommodations in Seattle for people with different needs. Whether you’re traveling with your family and kids or with your pets, there are numerous places for your stay. Even if you like historic accommodation, Seattle has it all. Elegant hotels in the heart of the city also include top-notch restaurants and bars inside. The State Hotel, Crowne Plaza, and Hilton Garden Inn are in downtown Seattle. Settling downtown gives you the advantage to visit Seattle’s tourist spots within walking distance.
Seattle transportation
A popular mode of transport in Seattle is bicycles. Bikes are used by many people going to work even by policemen on duty.
The rails aren’t only used for transcontinental freighters but also for passengers.
There are extensive major state highways and local roads in Seattle along with some pontoon bridges over Lake Washington. However, there is some major traffic gridlock still unsolved.
Other means of transports include King County Metro Transit, Monorail, Taxis, Rental Cars, and car-sharing and with ORCA cards, you’ll get transit passes on streetcars, light rail, buses but not for Washington State Ferries.
Shopping and Souvenirs
You don’t wanna miss the Pike Place Market in the downtown district. It’s been operating since 1907. It’s a sheltered market where you can find fresh fish and other retail stores. The neighborhood of Capitol Hill is where stately royal mansions are located. This is a lively area at night and an excellent center for shopping.